R.O.A.D.S. Study

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts has received one of only nine national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Policies for Action Grants to study Springfield’s Complete Streets policy. “Complete Streets” refer to policies that support roadways that are designed and operated for the safety of everyone using it—whether by car or bike, foot or bus. PHIWM and Tufts University, led by principal investigators Kathleen Szegda, PhD, MPH, MS, and Erin Hennessy, PhD, MPH, will investigate whether “Complete Streets” policies lead to changes in the built environment, the economic environment, the social environment, and health/health behaviors. 

The R.O.A.D.S. study (Research on Active Design in Springfield) is a mixed-methods participatory research project using an equity lens. Community residents participated in the study team and were engaged in data collection (e.g. bike/pedestrian counts). Primary data collection is now complete, but the data analysis process will take some time. Some very preliminary findings pertaining to resident safety were shared with city officials in January 2022. We hope to share additional findings back to our local partners and community by Summer 2022.     


R.O.A.D.S Study Committee


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